LOC23:52
20:52 GMT
RIYADH, Jan 23 (KUNA) -- Saudi Arabia's newly-enthroned King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud attended 'pledge of allegiance' ritual held at a ceremony in Riyadh's Ruling Palace on Friday.
The event, held alongside senior members of the Saudi royal family, the Muslim nation's chief Mufti and the public of the Province of Riyadh, will be followed by other similar events over the coming days held across the kingdom's provinces.
The historic ritual, known as 'Mubaya'a', was carried out amongst Prophet Mohammad's followers after his demise in a bid to name a successor who would lead Muslim tribes at the time, and is adhered to in the constitution of the strict Islamic nation.
In his speech at the event, Saudi Arabia's chief Mufti Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh said that "the Saudi people must preserve the gift of stability and defend it," adding "we have been entrusted with this security and stability."
Directing his attention to the new King, he added, "we pledge our allegiance to you according to the Book of Allah. I ask of him to grant you, O Custodian of Two Holy Mosques, success and support and I task you with being a firm believer of Allah, in private and in public, and I task you with performing the five prayers. I pray to Allah you may succeed in all of your duties.
"I task you with bearing honest intentions, being committed to the protection of the faith and with the protection and stability of the nation. I pray to Allah so as he may offer you blessings in your life and duties," he said.
After the ritual is completed King Salman will be accepted by local tribes across the nation as the seventh ruler of the kingdom from the House of Al-Saud. (end)
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